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LOT 1175
Viking Socketted Spearhead
10TH-14TH CENTURY A.D.
8 5/8 in. (70 grams, 22 cm).
The leaf-shaped head with full-length midrib to both faces, tapering round-section socket with piercing for attachment to an organic shaft. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx Surrey collection, formed 1990-2000.
Acquired from TimeLine Auctions 2016, lot 162 (part).
The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Iron Plumbata Mamillata
4th-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £442
The barbed head with tapering cylindrical stem and biconical lead weight. 85 grams, 15 cm
Ex J. Layne collection, 1990s.
The lead-weighted darts known as plumbatae mamillatae, (or breasted javelin) were short darts mounted upon a shaft, of the same shape, and thrown from a short distance. A Roman soldier would typically carry around 5-6 of these darts at any one time, fastened to the back of his shield. They could be thrown overhand or underhand, with an effective throwing range of up to 60 meters by trained soldiers. -
Medieval Iron Spear and Arrowhead Group
Circa 10th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Mainly comprising socketted spearheads and tanged arrowheads of various types, including conical, triangular-section, bodkin and lanceolate types. 408 grams total, 3.3-20 cm
UK private collection, 1990s. Acquired from a provincial auction. -
Medieval Iron Spear Group
Circa 15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
With conical sockets, one with foliate head, the other with long triangular head. 480 grams total, 27.5-35 cm
UK private collection, 1990s. Acquired from a provincial auction.
The spear was one of the many weapons of infantrymen and peasants during the Middle Ages. Götz von Berlichingen, who in 15th century A.D. was appointed as the leader of the peasants revolting against the noblemen, was recorded saying that ‘I beheld myself, suddenly encompassed with muskets, spears, and halberds, pointed at me. They cried that I should be their captain, in whether I would or not’.
